Re: Dylan update - bags and wheelchair bags etc (SORRY LONG)

[Guest guest]

TJ Wrote:

I used a walker for a while myself to get around after the surgeries

and they really are quite helpful- just couldn't figure out a way to

carry my coffee and cell phone at the same time- so found a huge

shirt with bigggggggg pockets and put the cell in there and got a cup

with a lid lol

Sharon:

Ask Rhea about this, I use a single crutch nearly all of the time and

Rhea makes the most amazing crutch pouches (for any find of crutch

(underarm/ forearm) that attach so that you can carry things like a

cell phone or a drink etc. This has been the most amazing addition to

my arsenal of adaptive devices. Rhea (who is 18 and a member here

with H-EDS herself) makes these crutch pouches for amputees and gives

them to the hospital for those who have recently become amputees. I

am sure she could tell you how she makes them and that the design

could be adapted to tie onto a walker. Or you could modify one of

those satchel bags to attach by ties or velcro over a walkers frame

to carry things. And I have described below a " feed bag " that one of

the girls off another bulletin board I used to be a member of

designed after knee surgery for herself (this he could carry on the

seat part of the walker to be able to move things with him around the

house (attach it again with ties or velcro so that it doesn't slide

off).

OK the " feed bag " was a fabric cooler bag (you know the kind for

carrying soda etc to picnics with the silver layer inside to help

keep things hot or cold) (you could cut the shoulder strap to make

points on either side and the back to attach it to the walker (or you

could sew these in separate so that the cooler bag could still be

used in the normal way as well)) the inside of this you can put a

drink or even cereal and bowl, milk, sugar and spoon etc to take from

cupboards/fridge to table/bed etc, this way Dylan could have some

independence as well so that he can get himself something to eat or

drink when others in the house are indisposed. (I have a photo of

this set up if you would like to see it). Invest in one or a couple

of the travel insulated cups/mugs (the ones with the little " cover "

that sides over to prevent spills).

The make these specifically for this purpose (but they could be

expensive) to attach to walkers or wheelchairs etc to carry things

(but Don't let Dylan turn around in his chair to access the bags

himself or he could injure himself).

A satchel bag would be more sturdy, larger and you can close it

better than a lot of those made specifically for this purpose (and

Dylan would probably feel more comfortable with one as they are more

fashionable (he is 17/18 after all) and while he knows he needs it

and is probably looking forward to it, he would probably prefer not

to look like a grandpa <he he> (this is what I would use (the satchel

bag that is) if it were me and I am a 32 yr old female)).

These are ONLY as an IDEA, this is ONLY really one site and there are

HEAPS of them out there and if you use your imagination and pay

around with them you could probably design and make something

yourself (if you sew) or have a friend or relative make for you (if

your don't)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16607c105052.html

http://www.wisdomking.com/product40066c105052.html (shows how to best

attach a satchel bag if you wanted to adapt one so that it doesn't

get in the way)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16615c105052.html (this you could

probably make yourself)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16613c105052.html (this you could

probably also make yourself)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product127174c105052.html (for wheelchairs,

walkers and scoters) again you could make this or something like it

yourself) I like this design as your belongings are not easily

accessible to others (i.e. they face you the user) and you can carry

your wallet, cell phone and emergency medications etc,

glasses/sunglasses etc)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product131418c105052.html (for power chairs

etc)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16381c105052.html (comes in crutch,

cane, walker, wheelchair and scooter designs)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16604c105052.html (for

wheelchair/walker)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16603c105052.html (for

wheelchair/walker)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product11639c105047.html (for wheelchairs)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16381c105047.html (for s)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16380c105047.html (for wheelchairs)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16378c105047.html (for crutches and

canes)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16383c105047.html (for wheelchairs

(very like a satchel bag could be adapted))

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16370c105047.html (for wheelchairs)

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16377c105047.html (for Wheelchairs

(looks easy to make design))

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16382c105047.html (for wheelchairs)

http://www.scooterdiscounts.net/access.html (accessories for power

chairs and scooters)

http://www.edmond-

wheelchair.com/powerchair_accessories,_pacesaver1.htm (power chair

accessories ) including cup holder <he he>))

http://www.rascalscooters.com/power_chairs/accessories.html

(accessories for power chairs)

Do search for power chair accessories there are HEAPS of these.

Sorry I got a bit carried away with sites and things but there are SO

many different things out there and if you have an imagination and

think about your/Dylan's uses and even personality etc you can easily

design/adapt other things for easier use etc. Like the satchel bag

for the walker instead or modifying a satchel bag or backpack to be

used on his power chair etc.

On another note I found this great walker for around the home that I

am SURE some of us could use (it is a walker so provides the

stability but has 2 trays one at kitchen bench height and one below

it as well as having hooks to hang bags from (I mean I could use this

for the washing and to bring my groceries in as I cannot use my

crutch/ cane and carry my bags etc (especially now that I am in the

shoulder immobiliser) I found it at :

http://www.wisdomking.com/product16564c260.html .

Sharon

Canberra, Australia

H-EDS (or so we think) .